Diterpene, a type of terpene, is an organic compound composed of four isoprene units and has the molecular formula C₂₀H₃₂. They derive from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Diterpenes form the basis for biologically important compounds such as retinol, retinal, and phytol. They are known to be antimicrobial and antiinflammatory.

Examples of diterpenes [link]

• Abietic acid
• Aphidicolin
• Cafestol
• Cembrene
• Ferruginol
• Forskolin
• Guanacastepene A
• Kahweol
• Labdane
• Lagochilin
• Sclarene
• Stemarene
• Steviol
• Taxadiene (precursor of taxol)
• Tiamulin

Other [link]

• Dodonaea petiolaris yields the diterpene ent-3β-acetoxy- 15,16-epoxylabda-8(17),13(16),14-trien-18-oic acid (C₂₂H₂₈O₆) or its enantiomer^[1].
• Spirostachys africana yields excoecarin in its latex, a compound with a purgative effect.
• Salvia divinorum yields Salvinorin A, an hallucinogen

References [link]

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